About NBEAF
The National Black Empowerment Action Fund (NBEAF) is a Black-led advocacy organization devoted to the economic, educational, and social uplift of Black communities across the country.
Through grassroots engagement, policy research and advocacy, leadership training, and earned and paid media campaigns, we drive public conversation around the policy decisions that affect the daily lives of Black communities and fight to lift up Black leaders and Black communities.
Black inspired
black led
black empowerment
our teaM
Darius Jones
Senior Advisor
Darius Jones is the Founder & Executive Director of the National Black Empowerment Council (NBEC), a membership organization whose mission is to close the systemic wealth, influence and achievement gaps between African Americans and more structurally advantaged groups. Formerly, Darius served as the Deputy National Political Director for Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign. He helped develop strategies which enabled Bloomberg to realize a tenfold increase in his support within the African American community, earning the endorsements of hundreds of Black elected officials in only a few months. Prior to the campaign, Darius spent a decade as National African American Constituency Director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
Richard st. paul
Senior Strategic Advisor
Richard St. Paul is a veteran, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor. A former New Rochelle City Councilman, he brings more than 20 years of experience practicing law, with a focus on government relations, employment law, and civil rights.
Richard is the Founder and Principal of Hamilton Avenue Advisory, LLC, where he advises organizations on strategy, corporate and AI governance, public-private partnerships, and organizational growth. He serves as Chair of the Board of Community Capital New York (CCNY), a certified Community Development Financial Institution, and as a member of Westhab’s Board of Directors.
Throughout his career, Richard has worked to expand economic opportunity, advance Black economic empowerment, and strengthen historically underserved communities through strategic leadership, public policy, and cross-sector collaboration.
Board affiliations are listed for identification purposes only.
Where we work
NBEAF operates in six major metropolitan regions that are hubs of Black political, civic, and business leadership: Minneapolis, MN; Detroit, MI; New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Memphis, TN; and St. Louis, MO.
